Yakkity-Yak, Can’t Talk Back

Due to a mishap, Karen has been out of touch. At 2:47 a.m. PDST this Friday morning (that’s 3:32 p.m. Friday afternoon in Nepal) she sent the following e-mail:

I am at Gorek Shep. Tomorrow to Base Camp. Maybe Kathy can guest blog. I dropped my iPhone in a squat toilet making it impossible to text or check in on the spot. It is now enclosed in a ziplock bag with rice, and I will take it to Apple and see if they can pull the picks off while wearing hazmat. I gave the little girl who took it out 100 rupees. She tried to decline the money.

I am struggling and it is very difficult. Most difficult thing I have ever done. Mani is my personal sherpa and carries my stuff every day. So now I’m at 17,000 feet. Today’s hike was arduous. I am just carrying too much weight on my bones. I am also not able to eat more than about 700 calories a day despite plenty of food being given to us. We burn about 500 calories per hour.

It was 11 degrees outside last night and about 23 inside. My gear is working good as I was toasty warm in my bag.

Today was a Kala Patar hike as well, but there were no views due to weather. No summit of Kala Patar will be attempted by the group as weather is not offering views. I am not disappointed as I am achieving my dream of being at Base Camp. That takes place tomorrow and I will see Russell Brice and Conrad Ankor. We hiked by Brice’s low camp yesterday.

This is hard. Really really hard. I cry at the end of each hike just for the sheer overwhelming feelings and exertion. I have not seen one other woman on the trail my size. But I am doing it. I have made it to the eve of my goal. Then we head back. Long hard days back and that will be great, too. I don’t mind the difficulty. It is good for me.

Most days they only light the fires at 5:00 or later. I play liars dice with the sherpas in the evening. They all keep telling me how strong I am – even ones that are not in our group but see me in the lodge later.

I love the yaks. They are the sound of the hills as I move along, lumbering in many ways as they do. Will check in next chance!

It is fantastic that you are doing this, Karen. It is a wonderful goal, and you are achieving it. I can’t imagine dealing with the temps, the inconveniences, the elevation, and the camping. Stay strong.

Wow! Amazing effort! Bet you lose a lot of weight on this trip! Would love to know how much. Sad about your phone, but glad YOU didn’t have to do the “dumpster diving.” Reminds me of the time when I was stationed in Trabzon, Turkey with the Air Force. One of my buddies dropped his wallet in the squat toilet. He had to fish it out himself. After washing the money and everything else in and on the wallet, he hung it up on a line in the Ops area to dry it out. That was my first experience with “money laundering.”

Your Kicken It Karen!! Sorry Big Sis!! 🙂 Great Trail Name, your are going to have to keep it you know, regardless of how much weight you lose.

As for eating, i hope you get some of your apatite back, god knows your burning up that body really fast. Try to snack as you hike, start small and just keep snacking. Little bit at a time will help a lot with your energy level. I hope your drinking a lot, you need to be drinking a lot, that will help too.
I know all about the not hungry feeling, every time I have a really hard hike or start out a long hike, I usually don’t feel like eating, to dang tired. But it helps a lot if you can snack during the day.

I am also posting this on Trailspace.com, Hope you get a chance to read it. Oh, and to bad about the phone. 😦

What a poopy situation for your phone! I hope it survives… well at least the pics survive! How is the Canon doing on this trek? And girl, I am filled with pride and admiration for you and your tenacity! I knew you were strong and have every confidence that you will see this all the way through! Woohoo!!! I am beyond excited for you and can’t wait to see you when you return!